Edwaed weston



E; WESTON.

l ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKEB..,

No. 288,144. Patented May 8, 1884.

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\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"&\\\\\\\\\\ Mmmm * UNrrno Srn'rnsA n'rnivr -rricm EDVARD -WESTON, OF NEWARK, NEVVJERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNITED STATES ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMPANY, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

ELEoTeICAL CIRC-UIT-BREAKER.

Sl?EICIIEICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 298,144, dated May 6, 1884.

Application filed october 1o, 1883. (No model.)

T all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, EDWARD WEs'roN, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, and a resi dentof Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit-Breakers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the same.

My invention consists in a switch or circuitbreaker of improved construction, which is capable of being operated by turning a key in either direction, and in which the breaking of the circuit is effected instantly by the reaction of one or more compressed springs. The objects of such construction are to prevent, by the instantaneous separation of the points of contact, the formation of a spark and the oxidation of the contacts, and to provide a device which cannot be injured by unskilled and careless persons, by. whom those switches or keys, that are capable of being turned in one direction only, are constantly broken in attempts to turn them the wrong way.

I will describe the principle of the construction of this device by reference to the accompanying drawings, where- Figure 1 is a central vertical sectionof a case containing a switch constructed in' accordance with` the invention. Fig. 2 is a broken section of the same on linear x of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a broken section on line y y of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4t is a view partly in vertical section of an incandescent lamp-holder with the switch combined therewith. l f

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

A is a box or case of any ordinary character; B, an insulating bottom, and C a metal or wooden block or support secured to the base for carrying the switch mechanism.

D is a metal plate, secured to the support C.

E E are standards on plate D, providing bearings for a spindle, F. Secured to the spindle F are a keyor thumb-piece, f, and lugs, projections, or a simplemetalplate, a, with rounded ends, or with small rollers b b set in it.

G is a lever, pivoted in uprights c c on the plate D. This lever is formed with a raised portion, c, in which is a depression, g.

H H are metal plates or springs, secured to the block C, and h a metal pin or bar set in the lever G, nearits end, in such manner that by the oscillation ofthe lever it may be brought into contact with both of the plates or sp'ringsH. 55

K is a spiral spring, set in the block C under lever G, and acting to holdthe lever raised with pin h out of contact with the springs H.. Conductors M N lead through the base B, and are connected with the springs H, or one 6o with the springsand the other with lever G.

The operation of this device is uas follows: Vhen the key is turned in either direction, the lever G is -depressed by the plate a, which moves up one of the inclines of the raised portion e of the lever. The pin H is by this means brought in contact with the springs H, completing the circuit between them. The switch may be left in this condition by turning the key until one end of plate ais brought into the de- 7o pression g, where it is held, by the force of the spring K, against movement.l Vhen it is desired to break the circuit, the key is turned in either direction, bringing the plate a out of the depression g. As soon as the end of the plate, or the roller set therein, is brought over the edge of the depression g, the plate a, unless a special effort be made bythe person operating it to prevent it, is thrown to one side by the incline, the lever G is raised bythe spring, 8o and the'pin It thrown instantly outof contact with the springs H. l

The exact shape of the lever G may be greatly varied. The portion e may extend very slightly above the bar, or even be dis- 85 pensed with; but in order that a more positive movement may be imparted to the plate ct, it is desirable to have it about as prominent as shown in the drawings. This switch may be used for all the purposes to which devices of 9o this kind are commonly applied. In Fig. 4, for

example, it is shown as applied to an incana descent lamp-holder. The particular construction of the holder, being immaterial, is not described herein. The switch is preferably con- 9 5 tained, however, in the lower part of the cylin drieal holder L, the operative portions being mounted on the under side of a plate, B', secured to the cylinder.

In describing my invention by an illustration of the most convenient and practicable embodiment of' the same of which I am now aware, I do notlimit myself to such form alone.

What I now desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. The combination, in a switch or circuitbreaker, of springs or plates, a spring-lever for completing the circuit by contact with said plates, and aspindle or key with lugs or equivalents for imparting movement to the lever, these parts being constructed and arranged in substantially the manner set forth.

2. The combination, in a switch or circuitbreaker, of terminal springs or plates, a pivoted spring-lever having a raised portion with inclined sides, and arranged to close the circuit by contact with the springs or plates, and a spindle having lugs or their equivalents for imparting movement to the lever, these parts being constructed and arranged in substantially the manner set forth.

3. The combination, in a switch or circuitbreaker, of terminal springs or plates, a pivoted spring-lever formed with a raised and recessed portion, and carrying a pin for making Contact between the terminal springs, a spindle journaled above the lever, and a plate secured thereto and adapted to impart movement to the lever by engaging with the raised portion thereof, all as set forth.

4. The com bination of the springs H H, the pivoted spring-lever G, formed with the raised and recessed portion e, and carrying the pin h, the spindle F, and plate a, with rounded or equivalent ends, all as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 4o my hand this 5th day of October, 1883.

EDVARD VESTON.

Vtnesses:

XV. FRIsBY, XV. H. DoGGnTr. 

